Do you have loose or floating dentures? If you do, you understand how frustrating it can be to have your false teeth moving around inside your mouth all day. Loose dentures affect what you eat, how you sound, and even the way you act. They can cause gum irritation or sores and leave you constantly worried that they might slip or fall out at the most embarrassing moments. Simply put, ill-fitting dentures reduce your quality of life. At St. Apollonia, we want all our patients to feel confident in their smiles. Thankfully, there is a reliable solution for poorly fitting dentures. We offer denture stabilization by connecting your prosthetic directly to your jawbone with mini dental implants. With implants in place, you’ll never need to worry about your dentures coming loose again!
The Problems of Traditional Dentures
The old-fashioned dentures you saw on your grandparent’s nightstand have been a tooth replacement solution for a long, long time. Yes, they do restore some sense of functionality and aesthetics, but they’re a far cry from your natural teeth. Conventional removable dentures rely on suction against your gums for stability and support, which isn’t the most stable way to keep teeth in place. This lack of security means that certain foods will be difficult, or even impossible, to eat, and you’ll need to be vigilant about how you chew, speak, and smile.
A fundamental issue with traditional dentures is that they don’t replace tooth roots. The roots stimulate the jawbone and keep it strong, so when they aren’t there, the bone starts to deteriorate. This changes the shape of your face and the structure of your gum ridge, meaning your dentures will lose their secure fit over time. As their fit worsens, they’ll begin to move around in your mouth, making eating and speaking more challenging. Eventually, they can even fall out! This deterioration will only get worse as bone loss progresses, and the solutions (denture relines or messy adhesives) can be inconvenient and expensive.
Mini Dental Implants for Denture Stabilization
If you’re frustrated by loose dentures or don’t want to deal with them in the first place, denture stabilization using mini dental implants is a dependable solution. Mini implants are a smaller form of the traditional dental implant, but they’re just as strong and durable despite their thinner profile. We place them directly into your jawbone, where they serve as artificial tooth roots and a sturdy anchor point for your dentures. Thanks to this solid foundation, not only are the dentures more comfortable, but they are more functional as well. Dentures stabilized with mini dental implants enable you to eat your favorite foods again and speak clearly.
The dentures’ connection to your jawbone provides the stimulation needed to keep the bone strong. A healthy and strong jawbone maintains oral function and prevents your face from the sagging look that can accompany long-term denture wear. And the best part is that your dentures will stay put—no more ill-fitting, floating teeth that might fall out at the worst possible time. You’ll have the peace of mind that your smile will stay right where it’s supposed to.
We offer several denture options that can be stabilized with mini implants. All of them are more aesthetically pleasing, durable, and functional than old-fashioned dentures. In certain cases, we can even convert your old denture to attach to mini implants. At your free initial consultation, we’ll discuss which avenue is best for your wants, needs, and budget.
The Advantages of Using Mini Implants
Is denture stabilization possible with conventional implants? Sure, but mini implants offer a host of advantages over their larger counterparts.
- Greater accessibility: Because of their small size, mini implants are viable for more patients. If you were previously told that you don’t have enough bone for conventional implants, you might be an ideal candidate for mini implant solutions.
- Minimally invasive placement: Mini implants don’t require incisions or stitches, and they typically eliminate the need for bone grafts. We create a tiny pilot hole (painlessly, using local anesthetic) and place the implant within minutes. It’s a wonderful process for patients nervous about lengthy or intrusive dental procedures.
- Faster healing: After the procedure, most patients can return to normal activities within a day or two. While the mini implant does need some time to fuse with your jawbone, it’s much less than the time it takes for traditional implants. We’re talking a few weeks rather than months on end.
- Increased stability: With traditional implants, we can usually fit only two to six implants in the jaw. However, mini implants can create anywhere from 4 to 12 anchor points, depending on the type of denture. This provides a much better distribution of bite forces while maintaining minimal invasiveness.
- More affordable: Mini implants are less expensive than traditional implants because of factors like lower manufacturing costs, simpler placement, faster healing, and fewer follow-up appointments.
Learn More About Denture Stabilization Today
If loose dentures frustrate you, why not eliminate them with denture stabilization? Thanks to mini dental implants, we can complete the process quickly, effectively, and affordably. Contact St. Apollonia Dental to schedule a free consultation. Allow Drs. Charles and Yvonne Pearson to show you how a more stable, functional set of teeth can change your life.
